IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
George Street, CROYDON, CR9 1SR

By Raglan Squire and Partners, 1960-61, early on in Croydon's development. At the time of my visit new developments were afoot in Croydon despite this block, and many others I saw, advertising office space to let. Between the 1950s and the 1970s Croydon experienced a burst of commercial development unparalleled anywhere else in the country. The impetus was provided by the Croydon Corporation Act of 1956 which gave Croydon Council powers to develop land in the borough. A combination of improved roads, government incentives to relocate from, and Croydon's proximity to, central London, and lower rents attracted employers in their droves. By 1970 about six million square feet of office space had been provided in central Croydon. Development has continued since, but at a much slower rate. From a distance the skyline is impressive (the nearest this country comes to Manhattan), but the problem is that few of the buildings are of architectural merit.

Supermarket under Suffolk House (block of offices) on the corner of George Street (in front) and Park Lane (on the right).

Seen during the annual maintenance work, during which time the central Croydon loop was not in operation. Services were being terminated, and reversed, at East Croydon, with out of service trams being stored at this end of George Street.

Trams parked in George Street, out of service, during engineering work which required trams to terminate at East Croydon.

Due to engineering works, trams were not running between East Croydon and Wandle Park.

Due to engineering works, trams were not running between East Croydon and Wandle Park.

At College Road, by Janet Fishwick.

At College Road, by Janet Fishwick.

This tram station is for the trams heading from Croydon towards Wimbledon.

Seen during the annual maintenance work, during which time the central Croydon loop was not in operation. I was lucky to catch two trams here, as services were being terminated, and reversed, at East Croydon.